Drive-and-fly car from Alef Aeronautics, USA
Alef Model Aprice, release date and specs
Alef says it began hand-building the first Model A cars at its Silicon Valley facility in December 2025, and in October 2026 it released video of what it called its 1,000th logged flight, a hop over a Tesla Roadster. Alef's ultralight Model Zero prototype holds a limited FAA experimental certificate (June 2023); the production Model A has no type certificate and hasn't been shown flying.
How far it has got
- Prototype
- Testing
- Certifying
- Certified
- Delivering
Testing: flying as a test aircraft.
You can reserve one, but deliveries haven't started.
Anyone can join the pre-order queue online; Alef plans to hand a first batch to a small number of early buyers by the end of 2026 for tightly controlled real-world testing, with production ramping up in 2027.
Watch it fly
Video from Alef Aeronautics on YouTube. It loads only when you press play.
Key facts
- Fully electric car designed to lift off vertically from a road, with no runway needed.
- Alef's Model Zero prototype received a limited FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate (experimental category) in June 2023, for exhibition, research and development.
- Hand-built production began in December 2025; the first cars are due to a few early buyers by the end of 2026.
- Alef reports more than 3,600 pre-orders (about $1 billion at list price) as of October 2026; these are company figures.
- Planned as a low-speed vehicle on roads (about 25 mph), with flight used for faster trips.
Price and how to order
Do you need a license to fly the Alef Model A?
Not yet settled: Alef has not published what owners will need, and the FAA has granted only a limited experimental certificate, to the Model Zero prototype; Alef's CEO has said he eventually hopes no extra license will be required.
Specifications
Questions people ask
How much does the Alef Model A cost?
Alef quotes an expected starting price of $299,999. Joining the pre-order queue costs a $150 deposit, or $1,500 for a priority spot.
When can you buy the Alef Model A?
You can pre-order now. Alef says it began hand-building the first cars in December 2025 and plans to deliver a small first batch to early buyers by the end of 2026, with wider production from 2027.
Do you need a pilot's license to fly the Alef Model A?
Alef has not published the licensing rules for owners, and only the Model Zero prototype holds a limited FAA experimental certificate, for research and exhibition. The CEO has said the long-term goal is for no extra license to be needed, but that depends on regulators.
Has the Alef Model A actually flown?
Alef has released videos of an ultralight prototype (the Model Zero) driving and then lifting off over cars, first in February 2025, and in October 2026 a video of what Alef called its 1,000th flight, and says it has logged more than 1,000 flights. These are short test hops; the range and flight performance promised for the production Model A have not been publicly shown.
Sources
- Electrek: Alef welcomes Tesla to the electric flying car race by flying over the Roadster [Video] (October 2026)
- Electrek: This 100% electric flying car that jumped over a Tesla Cybertruck is coming soon (May 2026)
- Aerospace Global News: Tesla's Roadster only hovers: Here are 6 flying cars that really take off (October 2026)
- New Equipment Digest: Alef's Flying Car Edges Closer to Reality With Airport Tests (August 2025)
- Dezeen: Videos reveal vertical takeoff of electric flying car in California (February 2025)
- EE Journal: Alef flying car receives limited FAA special airworthiness certification (June 2023)
- Alef Aeronautics: official site (October 2026)
Last checked October 17, 2026. Makers revise prices and dates often; confirm with Alef Aeronautics before paying a deposit. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
